Game apparatus



2 Sheets-Sheet l March 6, 1934. C, H, BUCKLER GAME APPARATUS Filed July 6, 1931 .1 M'. 762% l 4 ATTORNEYS.

C. H. BUCKLER GAME APPARATUS March 6, 1934.

Filed July 6; 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 harlES H. Eug/Nel? Patented Mar. 6, 1934 PATENT OFFICE GAME APPARATUS Charles H. Buckler, Camden, N. J.

Application July 6, 1931, Serial No. 549,019

3 Claims. (Cl. 273-3) This invention relates to improvements in out- 'door game apparatus, and has particular reference to the provision of an improved game board vconstruction presenting a playing field simulating the conventional pool or billiard table.

The primary object of this invention is the Yprovision of an improved game apparatus for outdoor use. It generally consists of a playing field mounted in an improved manner upon a suitable foundation Whereon it may be leveled to present a plane horizontal playing surface where- 'on balls may be manipulated for the playing of games somewhat similar to conventional pool or billiards. 1B A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved out-door game board apparatus embodying a playing field simulating somewhat the conventional pool or billiard table field, but being materially larger than the same,

and mounted in a relationship which will enable the leveling thereof, and the eicient observation thereof, for playing a game with balls.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a game apparatus of the above mentioned character which utilizes a playing club, such as set forth in my U. S. Patent No. 1,918,179, dated July 11, 1933.

Other objects and advantages of this invention 'will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the improved game apparatus substantially on the line 1--1 of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is aY fragmentary plan View of the 'game apparatus, showing the playing field and its associated elements.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken through the improved game apparatus substantially on the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View showing details of construction of the apparatus, and more particularly the leveling arrangement at a corner of the playing field.

Figure 5 is a plan View of a channel supporting frame upon which the playing board is mounted.

Figure 6 is a plan view, with parts in section, `showing the improved base which constitutes part of the playing field.

55 Figure '7 is a plan view showing the waterproof surface covering upon the base, and the arrangement of neon tubes thereon.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only a preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generally designate the improved game apparatus, which comprises a frame B mounted upon suitable foundation piers or piles C1, C2, and C3 in a position to be leveled thereon. The base D of the playing field is supported upon the frame B, with a water-proof covering E in turn supported thereon, and associated therewith is a boundary rail construction F. An improved walk construction G surrounds the playing field.

For the direct support of the frame B there are provided corner supporting piers C', side supporting piers C2, and a central pier C3. These piers are preferably of concrete, although they may be of other material. They are firmly anchored in the ground, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings, and are-preferably tapered upwardly in a diminishing relation. -At the top they are provided with suitable metal collars l0, to prevent fragmentation thereof.

The frame Bk is preferably made of channel 80. iron and comprises the long side channel rails 12 and 13 and Ythe end channel rails 14 and 15 which are suitably secured at their ends to the ends of the rails 12 and 13 by gusset plates or clips 16. An Vintermediate bracing rail 18 may 85, be provided, paralleling the side rails 12 and 13, secured at its ends by clips 20 to the end rails 14 and 15 midway of the ends of the latter, as shown in Figure 5.

Each of the piers C1, C2 and C3 at the top J0 thereof is provided with a vertical screw threadedv sha-nk 25 anchored therein securely4 at 26, as shown in Figure 4. 'I'hese Shanks are Ascrew threaded for the entire length thereof above the top surfaces of the respective piers. The bottom fianges of the channel rails of the frame B are provided with openings through which the upper ends of these screw threaded shanks 25 freely extend. The Shanksl 25 are preferably provided with pairs of nutsf30 upon which the 100 channel rails of the frame B rests. It is readily vseen from Figure 4 of the drawings that by adjustment of the nuts 30 the frame B may be adjusted vertically at either of the corners thereof, or intermediate the corner, or at the central portion, to insure an eflicient horizontal support of the frame B, without sag at any point. Preventing of sag is important, since the players will walk upon the playing field and it must have a perfectly level supporting frame. il@

The base of the playing field, shown at D in Figure 6 of the drawings, is preferably constructed of slate, and may comprise the end slabs 33 and 34, and the intermediate slab 35. These slabs are secured together in the same plane, at their meeting edges, by suitable dowel pins 37, in any approved manner. The outer corners of the end slabs 33 and 34 are suitably pocketed at 39, and the intermediate slab at the sides thereof is pocketed at 40. These recesses are provided in preferable simulation of usual pool table construction, although it is to be well understood that the playing eld of the improved game apparatus is many times larger than the conventional pool table.

A water-proof table cover El is provided for the top surface of the base D, as is shown in Figure 7 of the drawings, and it may be glued or otherwise aflixed thereto. It conforms in plan to the shape of the base D, and is suitably recessed in 'accordance with the pockets 39 and 40 of the base D.

The border rail construction F, as is shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, preferably comprises the side rails 41 and 42, and the end rails 43 and 44. They may be secured. together at their meeting ends in rectangular border outline. The rectangular frame made of these bordering rails is adapted to rest upon the margin portions of the base D, as is shown in the drawings, and the said border rail construction F rests upon the margins of the water-proof covering E. Suitable screws 47 may be anchored in the rails 41, 42, 43 and 44 of the border rail construction F, providing depending screw threaded shanks which are adapted to fit through suitable openings 50 provided in the margins of the base D, so as to extend below the lower surface of the base D for receiving detachable clamping nuts 53, as shown in Figure 4, for the purpose of rigidly securing and clamping the rails of the border construction F upon the slabs of the base D. These rails 41 to 44 inclusive may be double beveled at their inner edges, by convergently sloping them at 60 and 61 toward the playing field. These inner edges are recessed along the meeting edge of the surfaces 60 and 61 to receive the usual resilient cushioning strip 62, of rubber, or like material, which are glued in place, and of course receive the balls thereagainst, for rebound.

The rails 41, 42, 43 and 44 are recessed where they meet andk of course the cushioning strips 62 end at each of the several recesses, all as shown at 59, while the rails 4l and 42 are alsov recessed preferably to either side of their lateral medial line, while the cushioning strip 62 associated with the rails 4l and 42 also ends at each of the two recesses thus formed, all as shown at 70. Beneath these recesses 69 and 7l) are corner and side pockets 73 respectively, these pockets being preferably similar to the open mesh pockets of conventional pool and billard tables, altho it is desirable that the material forming the pockets be of a water-proof nature or of a material suitably water-proof and not subject to shrinking.

Bearing in mind that the improved playing apparatus is very large, and that it is adapted for out-door use, it can readily be understood that the same will be played under conditions which will throw shadows beneath the inner marginal portions of the boundary rails 41 to 44 inclusive, especially when an overhead lighting system is used forI night playing. To obviate the casting of objectionable shadows on the playing surface, I have placed neon illuminating tubes beneath the portions of the side and end rails which overhang the playing surface of the table, and set inwardly of the cushion strips 62 sufficient toi prevent any liability of contact of the playing balls 66 therewith. Of course, these neon tubes 80 are suitably placed in an electrical circuit to cause their illumination. The tubes are preferably carried by the base D, over the water-proof covering E, as shown in Figure 7, and of course at'their ends they terminate short of the corner and side pockets 73. 'I'hese tubes if desired may be carried directly by the adjacent surfaces of the border rails of the construction F.

A surrounding walk construction G borders the playing table of the game apparatus A. It preferably consists of side walks and end walks 91. They are of board construction, although they may be more permanent, such as of concrete. The preferable construction is to provide a series of the piles or piers C in spaced relation with the piersand piles above mentioned and surrounding the playing board. Beams 94 of any construction may be supported on the tops of these piles or piers, and upon which the walks 90 and 91 directly rest. The walks intermediate their ends may be supported by cross braces 95 suitably supported on tops ofthe piers C, Cl and C2, as shown in the drawings. Each of the walks 90 and 91 adjacent the border rails of the playing table is provided with a section 97 hingedly connected at 98, which may lift upwardly for the purpose of access beneath the playing board, in order to adjust the leveling thereof, in a manner which will be quite apparent.

A suitable recess may be dug in the ground to accommodate the playing board and its surrounding walk construction, so that the same will lie substantially flush with the surrounding ground surface, or, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings, the earth may be banked at 100 surrounding the game apparatus. The piers or piles lC may be of any height desired, as will be quite apparent.

It will be well understood that a playing board may be arranged for a game simulating billiards, and in that event pockets are not provided.

To take care of drainage a suitable system of under-ground drainage pipes may be placed beneath the playing board construction, and it is contemplated that the water will drain through the mesh pockets and through these conduits 110 and conveyed to any desired location for disposal.

It is quite apparent that the improved playing apparatus may be utilized for the playing of a wide variety of games. I contemplate the playing of a game like golf, utilizing the club of my above identied co-pending application. This game may be played with any desired number of balls, although I contemplate a game utilizing four balls. Of course, the playing apparatus is adaptable for the playing of conventional billiards or pool. The player can step on the table to play so long as he does not interfere with the balls on the table.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a game apparatus the combination of upstanding supporting piers, a playing board, means to adjustably support the playing board on the piers in leveling position, and a stationary border y#1150 porting foundation, a playing board, means to support the playing board in position upon the foundation for adjustable leveling in a horizontal plane, ball retaining border rails at the margins of said board, and a walk surrounding said border rails having supporting beams resting upon said foundation with a face of said beams facing said rails and free of attachment thereto.

CHARLES H. BUCKLER. 

